Convention Structure

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Convention Structure

  • Some guiding questions are provided, but feel free to create new questions.
Contributors: (click the T icon, 4th from the left, to change your font colour)
  • Peggy

What is the best role or function of a teacher-driven conference today?


Key Problem Areas

  • Non-attendance
  • No (or too few) sessions that are useful & relevant to them
  • Personal costs when in Regina - hotel, travel.

Costs & Fees

  • Teachers now present at learning fair & don't receive payment. Also finder fees are not paid to locate presenters. Do we need to alter honararia? For some things?



Possible Ways to Change?? Big Changes

  • Scrap convention altogether - we get enough PD provided from the division. (I just hear this fairly often; not my own opinion)
  • Don't need 2 days for convention, or at least 2 days in a row - avoid overnight costs
  • Regional conventions so people don't have to drive, stay overnight - Weyburn did a great job (but overnight stay still needed for some)
  • Regional (or more central; e.g. Arcola Prairie Place for General sessions, could use several nearby schools for meeting) but break into more grade- or subject-specific. Half-day sharing sessions - could provide a focus rather than just a free-for-all-sharing. Requires a teacher to act as a group facilitator (as opposed to being a presenter).


Possible Ways to Change?? Little Changes

  • Principals introduce new STF members on their staffs


Traditional Convention

  • 2 back-to-back days
  • Often in Regina - Conexus Arts Centre or Delta (but Weyburn local hosting went well - mostly pros with few cons)
  • General Features
    • Professional sessions - Welcomes, new teacher induction, STF business, AGM
    • Keynotes - more at Conexus since fewer rooms for breakout sessions
    • Multiple concurrent one-hour sessions, with a few 2-hour (or longer) workshop type sessions